His people are getting picked off the streets.

[ She says it clipped, but is quick to add: ] I wouldn't expect him to be in a celebratory mood.

[ But she guesses the fact of the matter is that regardless of everything with a new batch of Shardbearers he feels obligated to spend resources here. Stupid, really, when she'd only ever seen the man in a brief communion before. ]

Meridian currently has the upperhand. That is not yet winning; To decide we are is allowing ourselves to relax too early.